New Hampshire’s Route 16 Scenic Drive
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4Have you taken a Scenic Drive on Route 16?
Many people have taken the Route 16 Scenic Drive but I bet few have taken it from its beginning in NH (Where it joins with I-95) and followed all the way to Maine. I don’t think I’ve done the entire length in a day but once! I have started out on it but I usually get sidetracked.
In researching this, I noted that I’ve taken Route 16 as far as Rangeley Lake in Maine but not much past that to the East. If you check your maps, you could take Route 16 almost all the way to the Maine shoreline.
In past years, I have written about Route 16 as one of my favorite
Once you arrive in Tamworth NH you have Lake and Mount Chocorua and from there north you can proceed to North Conway (both scenic and tax-free!) At this point, I’ll let you read my article on Lake Chocorua to Pinkham Notch.
Today I’m going to take you from Pinkham Notch up to Errol New Hampshire and over into Maine. As always, you can get from Pinkham Notch up and over into Maine in a matter of several hours (2.8 according to Google or less if you push it) but I suggest you start early and plan to arrive in Rangeley Lake Maine in time for Dinner. (yes, 8 hours)
Pinkham Notch, trails, and more…
We’ll pick up where I left off, with Pinkham Notch. As you come up Route 16 from Jackson, you will come to a wide turnout where many cars can pull over (seen above) and there is an excellent view down the valley towards Conway. (as seen above)
As we continue north, you will find Mount Washington on your left and a turn to the left will bring you to the Mount Washington auto road.
IF you are taking the Mount Be warned there are no guard rails but taking a drive to the top of Mount Washington is exhilarating. Take a look around from the highest point in New Hampshire, but remember it’s often snowing or cold at the top so dress accordingly. There is a good reason they have earned the title of the place with “The worst weather in the US”.
Back on the road, you will come to another turn-off and signage for Glen Ellis Falls. (it’s not far on the left) This is a nice stretch of the legs and not difficult and you can walk around the top of the falls and take steps down to the pool where the waterfall drops into.
The ski areas have gondola rides
Along Route 16, you will find Wild Cat which is a ski area and if you want a really incredible view, take a gondola ride to the top. From here till you arrive in Gorham NH, you will have many hiking trail opportunities to get out and explore. This shot below is not on Route 16 but over on I-93. This is the gondola view from Cannon Mtn (I’ve only done this and Loon Mtn so far)
Gorham NH
Once you arrive in Gorham NH, and just before you turn left on Route 2 West, you will have the opportunity to play with some trains. (Gorham Rail Station Museum)
They have steam and diesel engines/cars on the sidings. If you are not interested in trains, head back on 16 to Route 2 and head west by North. (We still have a ways to go). You’ll parallel the Androscoggin River for quite a while and soon you’ll be in the town of Berlin. (Do not pronounce it like a certain city in Germany)… It’s more like a one-syllable version. (emphasis on the Ber and not the Lin). Or like Merlin from the round table.
Milan fire tower
The Milan State Park fire tower is a slight detour onto 110B and when done you can get back on Route 16.
Back on Route 16, you will have another chance for a spectacular scenic view. Just read this article on Milan and its fire tower.
We now will continue to head north, yes we are still heading north; you didn’t think it was going to be this long of a trip? Well, we have a few more hours to go…
Errol NH
Now you arrive in the little town of Errol New Hampshire. There is not much of the quaint village here but more like a feeling of an Alaskan gold town, or the like. Route 16 will join with Route 26 and as you come to the stoplight (the last one for a while, so fill up if low) I will note that you can take a side trip west on 26 and visit Dixville Notch and the Balsams resort on the lake. Or head east on 16 but watch the road because in a short distance 16 and 26 split off and you are heading north, again…
Finally Arriving in Maine!
Before you know it, you will be in Maine. The countryside is sparsely inhabited but you’ll run into a farm here or there and scenes of beautiful hills covered in fall colors as far as the eye can see. Your eyes may be watering from all the fall colors or maybe it’s just from being on the road for too many hours…
Rangeley Maine
Now you arrive in Rangeley and this is a larger town in comparison to Errol and Lisa and I stayed there at The Rangeley Inn and Tavern Instead of rewriting our write-up of this Inn, and let you read Lisa’s article “Dollars to donuts in Northern Maine“…
That trip, as you will read, started up in Greenville Maine and came down to Rangeley and was quite the trip. If you leave Rangeley tomorrow or the next day and head south on Route 17, keep your eyes open for the Height of land and then after that Coos Canyon which is another must stop destination heading south. (Coos Canyon Maine article)
This is my Route 16 scenic drive in it’s entirety from I-95 in New Hampshire to Rangeley Maine. Whew!
Jeff Foliage Folger
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Very beautiful and interesting post…We spend a week in the Whites so appreciated the details. Have you traveled Bear Notch Road which takes you from the Kanc highway into Bartlett?
I’ve been on it a few times. A few lovely look outs along the way too.
This is one of our favorite rides.
It’s one that I try to revisit each year